Assessment of socio-economic factors influencing women participation in environmental management in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania
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Date
2004
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study was undertaken to assess the socio-economic factors influencing women
participation in environmental management. Tree planting and solid waste management
were taken as indicators of environmental management. The specific objectives were to;
document on how urban women contribute to disposal of solid domestic waste and tree
planting as indicators of environmental conservation, identify socio-economic factors
influencing women participation in domestic waste management and tree planting and
assess women’s knowledge and perception on environmental conservation issues.
A
survey was done in 12 wards of Dar es Salaam City where women from randomly selected
households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions
done with government officials from solid waste management and forestry departments in
all municipals, and women from private solid waste management associations in order to
get the opinions and suggestions regarding tree planting and solid waste management in
their localities. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
Programme (SPSS), Chi-square tests, regression analysis and descriptive statistics. The
study revealed that 97 percent of women in the city were involved in domestic solid waste
management through collection, storage and disposal of solid waste, while 38 percent were
involved in tree planting activities. Participation of women in tree nursery production was
mainly motivated by economic gains though it contributes to environmental management
through provision of tree seedlings to the community. Generally, household solid waste
management was done exclusively by women. Poor storage facilities, poor collection and
poor disposal methods were the major problems hampering the efficiency of women
participation in domestic solid waste management. On the other hand small plot areas and
land ownership were the factors that hinder women contribution to tree planting in the city.
Education, land ownership, marital status and income were the most important socio-
economic factors influencing women participation in environmental management
especially tree planting. Participation in environmental management activities will likely
depend on how aware the community is on environmental management issues. Education
on the different facets of environmental management will boost women participation in
environmental management.
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Thesis
Keywords
Environmental management-women participation, Tanzania, Dar es Salaam